Talk about the trip from hell. I had to stay to close down the hall on Wednesday, so I didn't get to leave campus until a little after 7pm. Now my dad had come earlier in the day and put a new battery in my car because the battery light was on. Well, when I started coming home, the battery light came on again. I made it almost all the way home, and my car died. I was 40 minutes from home and the battery ran out of juice. So I had to call my dad and have him come and get me the rest of the way home. It was freezing in my car while I was waiting 40 minutes for him to get there. So dad and my brother came and jumped my car and then I rode home with my brother and dad drove my car. Unfortunately, we couldn't go more then 10 miles without having to stop and recharge the battery in my car. So, a 2 hour car trip home from school turned into 4 hours. It totally sucked, but I made it home safely so that's what is important. And soaking in the neighbors hot tub when I got home really helped.

Yesterday I got up at 7 and helped dad stuff the turkey. We always have Thanksgiving at our house, makes things so much simpler. After we stuffed the turkey, I headed back to bed for a long period of time, of course, waking up again meant that mom put me to work doing a lot of the little cooking things. But it was a nice relaxing day spent with the family.

Ah the joys of Friday. I really haven't done much but mom and I did wait in line for Wal-Mart to open this morning. That was scary. I don't think that I'll ever do that again. Then tonight mom and I went to the mall and I got some new shoes (yeah, I know, I have a shoe fetish : p) And my Christmas shopping is almost done, let there be much rejoicing. Now tomorrow I might go to Grand Rapids shopping. Fun stuff. : )

No better way to brighten up a class then a discussion on genital cultures. Fun times.

Today officially sucked. First off, it snowed. I like the snow, but it's fricking cold outside, and I hate being cold. Secondly, I took my car to Auto Zone to find out what was wrong with it (battery light was on) and my break light lit up on my dash and then the car almost died in the parking lot when the guy was checking my alternator. Then I must have counted like 2000 blood cells tonight, in 3 hours, through a crappy microscope. My poor eyes. And now I feel like I'm losing my best friend to his girlfriend and I don't like that feeling. This sucks.

I'm a fair-weather friend
I'm a colorless view
But I'm willing to make a deal
If you think you can make some faith here inside
I'll drive off and marry you

I'm only alive with you
I can't get by and I won't get through
So put me in the river and let me say I do
I'm only alive with you

You're a sight for sore eyes
And a newborn cry
In a year where there are so few
If you throw me a line, I'll show you in time
I'm falling in love with you

I'm only alive with you
I can't get by and I won't get through
So put me in the river and let me say I do
I'm only alive with you

Though my heart has been torn
The loves I have worn
And I'm tempted by them ever still
I tremble inside when you walk in the room
You hold my affections and will

I'm only alive with you
I can't get by and I won't get through
So put me in the river and let me say I do
I'm only alive with you

I'm only alive with you
I can't get by and I won't get through
So put me in the river and let me say I do
I'm only alive with you

The little things have been building up again so here's a list of the things that annoy me:
1. Stupid people: let's take the warning labels off of everything and let nature take it's course
2. People who won't fight for what they believe in: if you believe in it and want it that strongly, then fight for it. Fight with everything that you've got.
3. Smartasses: yes, the occasional smart ass comment is funny, but don't be that way all the time, pick your moments.
4. People who think that they know everything about my job: you don't know what this job is like. Don't try to tell me how to do it!
5. Whiney people: whine only if you're sick or dying, otherwise, do something about it. It'll make life happier.
6. Group projects: nuff said.
7. Middle of the night fire drills: nuff said
Yeah, that's about all I have for now, maybe more later

OMG. Last night I did an alcohol alternative karoake program. Sure, it's Thirsty Thursday so you don't expect the biggest turnout in the world, but boy I really didn't expect the people that did show up. Every pothead/suspected pothead in the building was there. Even the ones that we'd just caught the night before, and I'd just finished their judicial documentation an hour before. Well, one of them decided that he needed to sing with me, so I let him pick out a song and he picked Nobody Wants to be Lonely. Ok, so it's a big love song duet by Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. That was interesting. And then he decided that he needed to hug me and profess his undying love for me that he'd been fighting for a year and a half. Maybe he wasn't as sober as I thought that he was...

Some words that we could all use in life...

Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

Glibido: All talk and no action.

Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

...and the best one...

Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

So my mom had been bugging me about my going to the Jars concert over Thanksgiving weekend. Well, now, thanks to my car, I won't be going. Stupid battery light coming on yesterday. I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

Car for sale. 1993 Chevy Cavalier. $1500 OBO. 106000 miles. New radiator and water pump. Soon to have new battery. Call ###-####



Oh and does anyone know what I did with my WWAI CD?

My funny story for the day. After I got out of lab this morning I decided to go to the coffee shop to indulge in a mocha before my micro exam. Now the coffee shop is located outside the housing office, and Monday is professional housing staff meeting day. So anyways I was sitting at one of the tables drinking my mocha and eating my cinnamon roll and working on my notecard for my exam when the associate director of housing walked by. I said hi, he went off somewhere and then came back and looked over my shoulder at what I was studying. I looked up at him and said "Diagnostic Microbiology" and he shuddered and walked off. Ok so maybe it's not so funny but it was to me at the time. I think I did good on the exam, even found a mistake on the key, so here's hoping that I got the A that I need on that test

Moon in the Morning
Virginia Coalition

Crazy, it's all that you want
Crazy, it's all that you're askin' for
It's like the man who tries to stand without the reservation
And he dont bear the name that he's been given

Crazy, it's all that I want
Crazy, it's all that I'm askin' for
It's like the song that goes too long
But it's stirring up the nation
I can dig a bigger hole for us to live in

Roll out, boy, this is gonna take a while
The length of your smile
Draws a little light and it breathes
Sometimes it comes without warning
Like the moon in the morning
It's just one of those things

Sorry that it's all gotta change
It's just another one of your simple reasons
It's like the time that you lost your mind
Without thinking about the complications
And I dont think you'll ever be forgiven

Roll out, boy, this is gonna take a while
The length of your smile
Draws a little light and it breathes
Sometimes it comes without warning
Like the moon in the morning
It's just one of those things

And I think you're wearing it backwards
And I think you got it all wrong
You can change your mind if you have to
You can change your mind

Roll out, boy, this is gonna take a while
The length of your smile
Draws a little light and it breathes
Sometimes it comes without warning
Like the moon in the morning
It's just one of those things

Roll out, boy, this is gonna take a while
The length of your smile
Draws a little light and it breathes
Sometimes it comes without warning
Like the moon in the morning
It's just one of those things
Just one of those things
Just one of those things

And I think you're wearing it backwards
And I think you got it all wrong

So I'm safely back at school. I hate driving at night, staring into oncoming headlights sucks royal ass. But today I got to see Baby Camden. He's so tiny but he loves me, I was holding him and I got to feed him and then he fell asleep right in my arms. There's something very special about a 6 day old baby falling asleep in your arms.

Ok, I should never be allowed to go into a bookstore or a mall again. I went to the mall to buy 2 things tonight, I left $60 poorer. I just couldn't help it, B. Dalton had two books by Patricia Cornwell, one that I wanted and one that was brand new in hardcover. And I was meant to have them both because the hardcover was $6 off and the paperback was $7. And Lerner's had a 50% off the redline price corner and I finally found a pair of pinstripe pants that really look good on me, and this real cute skirt. So that was another $20, but that was like $50 worth of clothing, so it's all good. And the two things that I went to the mall to buy were $20. But I also got some Christmas shopping done today, I bought Camden the cutest teddy bear made out of a blanket, and Matthew a fireman helmet that makes noise and lights up when you push the badge on the front.

It's been real nice being home this weekend, last night was just kind of a lazy night. I got home from school and had the house to myself so I messed around on the computer a little and then just crashed on the couch. Dad made enchiladas for dinner and oh those tasted good. My stomach didn't know how to react to real food. Finished off the night with a nice soak in the neighbor's hot tub and then actually went to bed before midnight. Amazing huh? So this morning I got up around 11 and went and made payment number 18 of 36. My piece of shit car is actually half way paid off. Never mind that I'm planning on getting a real job this summer that pays more then $6/hour and selling that car and maybe buying a car that was made in the millenia. Mom and I went out to lunch and then to a couple of bazaars, and I bought Camden's bear and saw one of my grandma's. Got a new tote bag that totally fits with my princess identity too. It's got a castle on one side and a unicorn on the other. Very me. I went to Meijer's to go pick up a few things to do the baking that I wanted to do tonight, and just about got hit by this old man backing out of his parking space as I was waiting for someone to back out of another one, so I almost had reason to get a new car, but he would have backed in to where my door was, so I laid on the horn a few times before he stopped with about 2 feet to spare. Going to church tonight made me realize how much I miss St. Paul's. I haven't been there in about a month and I really miss it. I just went through Mass on autopilot tonight and don't remember that much of it. After church I just hung around the house some and we had dinner then I got to talk to Mikey ( :D) for a while and then mom and I went to the mall. Afterwards we went and rented Anger Management (which I've seen but think is hilarious) and Finding Nemo (which we better watch tomorrow so I can decide if I want to buy it or not) and then came home and I made banana bread and chocolate chip cookies. The house smells awesome right now and the cookies taste good (has to sample the one that I wrinkled up) and I just know that Mikey is going to love them. So yeah, I should probably go to bed soon since I'm going to see Camden tomorrow and I told my Grandma that I'd come over tonight and never made it so I'll have to do that tomorrow.

Love and kisses everyone!

Sweet! Matthew Stover is going to write the Ep III Novelization! Yay! Story

For those of you that don't know, in high school I swam competitively year round. For 3 years of my life I swam 5-9 times a week, thousands of yards a day. I haven't really worked out swimming since November of 2000, my senior year of high school, sure I've swam occasionally since then but now I'm taking fitness swimming. My instructor is Michigan State's former swim coach. So she'd been going easy on us, today that all changed. She kicked our butts. We did a lot of sprinting. It actually felt real good to be that pushed again. I could hear Tony yelling at me in my head. My old coach still haunts me, I can still see Tony on the side of the deck giving his signals, still hear his voice in my head as I swim. But anyways, after today I was kinda sore, even with the good warm down that I did. Damn arthritic shoulders. I've had arthritis now in my shoulders since I was 14. Lucky me. Anyways, after a few weeks of searching I finally found what I wanted tonight. Tiger Balm! I love that stuff. It is the best muscle relaxant/arthritis cream out there. And it actually smells good too. Ok, it smells good if you like the smell of menthol, camphor and cloves. I'm addicted to this stuff. Started using it during swim season in high school. Half the team used it. We were the hardest working team in the conference and we really beat ourselves up during practive so the pool always smelled of chlorine and tiger balm. I love this stuff. Just the smell brings back all the memories of HS, and I feel great now. Buh bye aches and pains

So I didn't make it to my 8am class. My alarm clock didn't go off. It was set and everything. Oh well, the day started crappy last night, seems to be continuing that way.

Damn it damn it damn it. The first night all week that I actually fell asleep at a decent hour and the fire alarm goes off and we find a room smelling like pot. So yeah, I've been up for an hour now and I don't know what time I'll end up falling asleep again, and I have class at 8. Joy

Ok I just don't get my mom. She's always telling me that I need to do more and go out more with "real" people (no offense to all the psychostalkerserialaxemurdererrapists that are reading this). So last night I was talking to her and told her that I was making plans for Saturday of Thanksgiving break, meaning I would only be home Wedensday night, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morining because Saturday night I'm planning on going to see Jars of Clay with Cara. Well instead of being glad that I'm not going to sit home in front of the computer all weekend, she gets worried about me driving about an hour and a half STRAIGHT DOWN I-75. I just don't get it.

In other news, I have a new cousin, Baby Camden, that I get to go see on Saturday :D

So yesterday I ate VERY little. Today, I tried to eat normally. Yeah. Not happening. My stomach now hates me. Thanks a bunch Ferris state and your sucky food

Sometimes you just have days that make you realize how special and precious life is. I was talking to Cara tonight about going to see Jars over Thanksgiving break and she told me that her kidney rejected over the weekend. She's not even 20 years old yet. I can't imagine being that young and already having had one kidney transplant and then having that transplant fail. All I have to say is that Cara has some amazing strength and faith. I couldn't do it if I was her, going through kidney failure once and then having the transplant fail and have to wait for another kidney and be so young. I really admire her strength.

OMG! That was THE best concert that I've ever been too! VACO is absolutely amazing. Mike has so much energy and is so much fun to watch perform. I was on the floor right in front of the speakers probably about 15-20 feet away from him and a few times it was like he was looking right at me. It was such an energy filled show, so worth the 3 hour drive. And I got myself a tshirt and Rock and Roll Party. Wow. Amazing is all I can say. Here are the pictures that I took at the concert Once I get some sleep more pictures will be added. Gotta go crash now

I'm off to VACO! Full report when I get back!

D'oh! I set my alarm for 9 last night so that I could get up and go to church. Apparently I set it for 9pm though because I woke up after 11. Oops. Concert countdown is now at 7 hours. I'm so excited! I just hope my car makes it there and back, it was sounding a bit iffy yesterday.

So what happens when you give the FSU student section thundersticks at a hockey game? Simple answer, the arena is never silent. Last night's game was awesome. Ferris was down 1-0 going into the second period and ended up winning 6-5 in OT. The best part is, Michigan struggled back to tie the game (with a lot of cheap shots thrown in) and had the heartbreak of losing in OT. Life is sweet.

Ahh there's nothing like hitting the local pub at noon when you get done with class. After we got done with micro today, 8 of us headed to Schuberg's. Since it was the lunch hour it was quite busy but it was fun having 6 girls and 2 guys crammed around a 6 person table. It was real crowded in there but we had fun, embarassed the guys some and tried to get a couple of guys to buy us lunch. It was real fun, we hadn't done that in a while and after having 2 exams this week we decided that we needed to go. In other news, the FSU/UM hockey game tonight is going to be good. It's time to serve up some revenge. And in other happiness it only cost me $19 to fill up my car today to travel on Sunday. Too bad I'm going to have to fill my car up again to get home from the concert. Oh well, it's going to be worth it!

Fitness swimming was a bear today, er yesterday, er nevermind it's still today because I haven't gone to sleep yet. Anyways we did a 10 minute warm up, no biggie, then a 15 minute continuous swim. Ok that was a little worse because of the fun stuff running down the back of my throat, but I managed to knock out 700 yards. Not too bad but not as good as I wanted either, tat's averaging a little over 2 minutes/100. If I want to swim an 8 minute 500 by the end of the semester, I've got to get my rear in gear. After that swim we recovered a bit and then played JP's version of water polo. My abs, my poor poor abs. This class will get me back into shape. Or at least better then I am. Excuse me now, I'm going to go remove my brain in an attempt to shake this headache

Sinus infections suck. I don't know if that's what I have, but that's what I'm guessing I have based on the symptoms, so here comes another DIY diagnosis. All I want is the headache to go away!

So I had a test today, I'm not that sure how I did it since I had either a migrane or tension headache at the time. Ugh. And I'm still waiting on my copy of TUF, according to UPS it hit Michigan about 1 this afternoon and is only an hour away from me, so my question is, why couldn't they bring it up here?

Anyways, thanks to a little tagboard inspired madness, you're going to learn about my family. My dad's side of the family is pretty small, I don't really know all of my exteneded relatives, but that's the side of the family that I take after. Yay me, my hair is already starting to slowly gray, I'll be gray before 30 if I follow that side of the family that much. Everyone says that I'm a lot like my Aunt Colleen and I guess that I am. We're both pretty serious and don't mind solitude. She is also responsible for my love of sailing. I will have a sailboat someday, so all of you close friends of mine, come visit me and I'll take you sailing.

Then there's my mom's side of the family. The Passariello's. Try speeling that one while drunk. :p Anyways, if you can't tell from that name, it's Italian. Our family reunions are so much fun. Always the first Sunday in August at 1pm. Whatever park that we're at you see the Passariello banner which is an Italian flag with Passariello over it. And you can tell that we're Italian because instead of doing hot dogs and hamburgers and the such, we do spaghetti, lasagne and garlic bread. Outdoors. Now we have the family. Uncle Louie is talking loudly to someone because he's deaf and is calling himself the Godfather. The cousins are all jabbering and talking and hugging. All my aunts and my grandma are catching up on bingo stories, and the kids are off running around. Then you get the call to "manga" for those of you that don't speak Italian, that's "eat" Uncle John and I always fight over the pineapple bars that grandma makes and I let him win... sometimes. After we eat, we talk and share pictures for a while and then the real fun starts. We sell each other our junk in a white elephant auction. Always a good part of the day.

As crazy as they are, I wouldn't have my relatives any other way

My faith in hicks hath been revived.

I was walking to class this morning and it was about 7:55 and I'm waiting to cross the street in front of the allied health building (because apparently no one in this town knows that pedestrians have the right of way at a crosswalk, but that's a whole 'nother rant See Pedestrian Bingo, as I've almost been hit twice in the last 2 weeks) and I see the hickest truck I've ever seen. On the side panel that I saw, the door and hood was red, the rear of the cab was blue and the bed of the truck was 2x4's. I just love living in hickville.

THE ARK

It is the year 2003 and Noah lives in the United States.
The Lord speaks to Noah and says: "In one year I am going to make it
rain and cover the whole earth with water until all is destroyed. But I
want you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing
on the earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark."
In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark.
Fearful and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the Ark.
"Remember," said the Lord, "You must complete the Ark and bring
everything aboard in one year."
Exactly one year later, a fierce storm cloud covered the earth and all
the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw Noah sitting in his
front yard weeping.
"Noah." ! He shouted, "Where is the Ark?"
"Lord please forgive me!" cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big
problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction and your plans did
not comply with the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw
the plans.
Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a
fire sprinkler system and floatation devices.
Then my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by
building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city
planning commission.
I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban
on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S.
Forest Service that I needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish
and Wildlife Service won't let me catch any owls. So, no owls.
The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike.
I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Union. Now I
have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls.
When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal
rights group. They objected to me only taking two of each kind aboard.
Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could not
complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your
proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no
jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the universe.
Then the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed new flood
plain. I sent them a globe.
Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by
not taki! ng godless, unbelieving people aboard!
The IRS has seized all my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in
preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes.
I just got a notice from the state that I owe some kind of user tax and
failed to register the Ark as a recreational water craft."
Finally the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further
construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it is
a religious event, therefore unconstitutional.
I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another 5 or 6 years!" Noah
wailed.
The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas began to
calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully.
"You mean you are not going to destroy the earth, Lord?"
"No," said the Lord sadly. "The government already has."
AMEN!

My dad got a job finally! Let there be rejoicing!

Rules of Life
Sometimes we need to remember WHAT the Rules of Life really are.
1. Never give yourself a haircut after three alcoholic beverages of any kind.
2. You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use the WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the duct tape.
3. The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship are "I apologize" and "You are right."
4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
5. When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.
6. The only really good advice that your mother ever gave you was: "Go! You might meet somebody!"
7. If he/she says that you are too good for him/her - believe them.
8.. Learn to pick your battles. Ask yourself, "Will this matter one year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"
9. Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
10. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
11. Living well really is the best revenge. Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just might mean that the other person was right about you.
12. Work is good, but it's not that important..
13. And finally; Be really nice to your friends and family. You never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan.

This is for all the lonely people
Thinking that life has passed them by
Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup
And ride that highway in the sky

This is for all the single people
Thinking that love has left them dry
Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup
You never know until you try

Well, I'm on my way
Yes, I'm back to stay
Well, I'm on my way back home (Hit it)

This is for all the lonely people
Thinking that life has passed them by
Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup
And never take you down or never give you up
You never know until you try
--America, redone be Jars of Clay

So family bragging rights were on the line tonight. It was the night of the Ferris State/Michigan State hockey game at FSU. I go to Ferris, my dad is Spartan Alumnus. Ferris got shut out last night 8-0 so they really needed to win tonight so that my dad wouldn't have bragging rights over me. Things didn't go quite as planned. Ferris ended up losing 4-2. *growls* Oh well, it was a very well played game. We did everything but out-cheap shot them.

As for the rest of the day, I got up and did marathon cleaning so that I'd have a clean room when the family got here at 3. They got here a little after 3 and we went out to eat at Applebees and then went to St Mary's for church. It's interesting how both Catholic churches in town have the same priest, but things are done different at each church. The sermon was ok, it was on Hope and Purgatory, I kinda zoned out during the readings today though. After church was the game and then after the game we ran to WalMart for snacks and I bought myself a 4 cup coffee maker that you can set to brew at a certain time. Then we went back to the hotel room and watched the Red Wings game, then I'm just back here lounging. Very nice day. With more family time to come in the morning

I preordered Who We Are Instead by Jars of Clay last month. The CD hits stores Tuesday, I got it today. It is a totally awesome CD. It'll be living in my CD player for a while